Museveni Orders Sugar Mills and Growers to Play Nice

President Museveni approved the Sugarcane Amendment Bill 2023 at State House Friday. He urged sugar factories and farmers to work together for industry success. Parliament passed the legislation last month after talks with growers and millers. Representatives from Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro and Acholi regions joined discussions about pricing and council membership. The president warned that fighting between groups could destroy the entire sugar business.

Trade Minister Francis Mwebesa explained the new council structure before the signing ceremony. Farmers will have four seats and millers get three positions on the governing body. Government officials from trade, agriculture and finance ministries will also serve as members. The chairperson rotates between farmer and miller representatives every two years. This system prevents any single group from controlling council decisions.

Sugar companies must share profits from ethanol and electricity sales with cane growers under the new rules. A development fund will collect money from both millers and farmers at a 70 to 30 percent split. Museveni told sugar companies to avoid recruiting people with small farms under four acres. Small farmers should focus on coffee, fruits, dairy cows and food crops instead. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa praised the president for helping resolve disagreements during bill negotiations.